Budapest guide

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BUDAPEST custom travel guide made just for Diane and Mathew Wieneke from May  until May 8,  Compliments of Tina Taylor, CruiseLuxurious.com (772) 324-9325.


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Budapest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Understand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Districts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Get in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Get Around. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 See. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Do. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Buy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Eat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Drink. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Sleep. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Stay safe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Stay Healthy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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Restaurants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Top Top Top Top Top

Best Restaurants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Older couples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Italian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Asian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vegetarian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Sunrise/Sunset. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Currency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Useful phrases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Passport and Visa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emergency numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Useful info. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 2

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Maps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

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Budapest

Budapest · Understand

Budapest

Budapest

Understand Overview Consisting of two cities with different flavors, Buda on the west bank of the Danube River and Pest on the east bank, Budapest offers travellers a unique atmosphere influenced by Viennese and Parisian architecture. Hungarians are proud of what their beautiful capital has to offer and its contributions to European culture, especially in the field of music and sciences. They also take some pride in their language which is unrelated to languages of the Indo-European family such as English, French or Russian. Budapest, lying in Central Hungary, is the country's capital and largest city, the largest in East-Central Europe and one of the largest cities in the European Union. It is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial and transportation center. Due to its scenic setting and its architecture, it is nicknamed "Paris of the East". In 1987, Budapest was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. For those with a reasonable budget, Budapest offers a rather high quality of life. The offered range in terms of culture, cuisine and general vibe is comparable to other major European cities. Prices are cheaper, influenced by salaries of the locals which are significantly lower than those of Western Europe.

Sights of Budapest

Budapest

History The first settlement on the territory of Budapest was built by Celts before 1 AD. It was later occupied by the Romans. Aquincum, the Roman settlement, became the main city of Lower Pannonia in 106 AD. At first, it was a military settlement and gradually, the city raised around it became the focal point of the commercial life. The Romans constructed roads, amphithe-

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Budapest

aters, baths and houses with heated floors in this fortified military camp. This area now corresponds to the Óbuda district within modern day Budapest. Buda as the Capital: The peace treaty of 829 added Pannonia to Bulgaria due to the victory of Bulgarian army of Omurtag over the Holy Roman Empire of Louis the Pious. Budapest arose out of two Bulgarian military frontiers, the fortresses of Buda and Pest, situated on the two banks of the Danube. Hungarians led by Árpád settled in the territory at the end of the 9th century and a century later, officially founded the Kingdom of Hungary. Research places the probable residence of the Árpáds as an early place of central power near what became Budapest.The Tatar invasion in the 13th century quickly proved that defense is difficult on a plain. King Béla IV of Hungary therefore ordered the construction of reinforced stone walls around the towns, setting his own royal palace on the top of the protecting hills of Buda. In 1361, it became the capital of Hungary.

dapest the twin capital of a dual monarchy. It was this compromise which opened the second great phase of development in the history of Budapest, lasting until World War I. In 1849 the suspension bridge (Chain Bridge) linking Buda with Pest was opened as the first permanent bridge across the Danube. In 1873, Buda and Pest were officially merged with the third part, Óbuda (Ancient Buda), thus creating the new metropolis of Budapest. The dynamic Pest grew into the country's administrative, political, economic, trade and cultural hub. Judapest: Ethnic Hungarians overtook Germans in the second half of the 19th century due to mass migration from the overpopulated rural Transdanubia and Great Hungarian Plain. Between 1851 and 1910, the proportion of Hungarians increased from 35.6% to 85.9% thus, Hungarian became the dominant language and German was crowded out. The proportion of Jews peaked in 1900. Due to the prosperity and the large Jewish community of the city at the start of the 20th century, Budapest was often called the "Jewish Mecca" or "Judapest".

Renaissance Period: The cultural role of Buda was particularly significant during the reign of King Matthias Corvinus. The Italian Renaissance had a great influence on the city. His library, the Bibliotheca Corviniana, was Europe's greatest collection of historical chronicles and philosophic and scientific works in the 15th century. It was second only in size to the Vatican Library.

Independence: In 1918, Austria-Hungary lost the war and collapsed. Hungary declared itself an independent republic. In 1920, the Treaty of Trianon finalized the country's partition, as a result, Hungary lost over 2/3 of its territory, and about 2/3 of its inhabitants under the treaty, including 3.3 million out of 10 million ethnic Hungarians.

Ottoman Period: The Ottomans occupied Buda in 1541. The Turkish occupation lasted for more than 140 years. The Turks constructed many fine bathing facilities within the city. Some of the baths that the Turks erected during their occupation period are still in function after 500 years (Rudas and Király). Under Ottoman rule, many Christians became Muslim. By 1547 the number of Christians was down to about a thousand, and by 1647, it had fallen to only about seventy.The unoccupied western part of the country became part of the Habsburg Empire as Royal Hungary.

Battle of Budapest: In 1944, towards the end of World War II, Budapest was partly destroyed by British and American air raids. From December 1944 to February 1945, the city was besieged during the Battle of Budapest. Budapest suffered major damage caused by the attacking Soviet and Romanian troops and the defending German and Hungarian troops. All bridges were destroyed by the Germans. More than 38,000 civilians lost their lives during the conflict.

Habsburg Empire: In 1686, two years after the unsuccessful siege of Buda, a renewed campaign was started to enter the Hungarian capital. This time, the Holy League's army was twice as large, containing over 74,000 men composed of German, Dutch, Hungarian, English, Spanish, Czech, Italian, French, Burgundian, Danish and Swedish soldiers, along with other Europeans as volunteers, artilleryman and officers. The Christian forces reconquered Buda and in the next few years, all of the former Hungarian lands, except areas near Timişoara (Temesvár), were taken from the Turks. In the 1699 Treaty of Karlowitz, these territorial changes were officially recognized. In 1718, the entire Kingdom of Hungary was removed from Ottoman rule. The city was destroyed during the battle. Hungary was then incorporated into the Habsburg Empire. Emergencence of Budapest: 1867 was the year of Reconciliation that brought about the birth of Austria-Hungary. The 19th century was dominated by the Hungarian struggle for independence and modernization. The national insurrection against the Habsburgs began in the Hungarian capital in 1848 and was defeated a little more than a year later. This made Bu-

Budapest · Understand

Genocide: During 1944 and early 1945, between 20% to 40% of Greater Budapest's 250,000 Jewish inhabitants died through Nazi and Arrow Cross Party genocide. The Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, managed to save the lives of tens of thousands of Jews in Budapest by giving them Swedish passports and taking them under his consular protection. Communism: In 1949, Hungary was declared a communist People's Republic. The new Communist government considered the buildings, like the Buda Castle, as symbols of the former regime,and during the 1950s, the palace was gutted down and all the interiors were destroyed. Hungarian Revolution: In 1956, peaceful demonstrations in Budapest led to the outbreak of the Hungarian Revolution. This uprising was an anti-Soviet revolt that lasted from October 23 until November 11. lthough the leadership already collapsed after mass demonstrations beginning October 23, the Soviet tanks entered Budapest to crush the revolt. Fighting continued until early November, leaving more than 3000 dead. This was considered the biggest tragedy for Hungary. In 2006, to commemorate this sorrowful event, a monument was erected for its 50th anniversary.

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Budapest

Inclusion into the UNESCO List: From the 1960s to the late 1980s, Hungary was often satirically referred to as "the happiest barrack" within the Eastern bloc, and much of the wartime damage to the city was finally repaired. In 1987, Buda Castle and the banks of the Danube were included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Andrassy Avenue was added to the UNESCO list in 2002.

Budapest · Districts

Districts

Inclusion into the European Union: Since the peaceful 1989 system change (Rendszerváltás) which was achieved as a compromise between reformist party forces and the opposition (notably including a younger self of the current PM, Viktor Orbán), Budapest transformed in appearance and atmosphere, a process further accelerated by the country's long-awaited joining to the European Union in 2004.

Climate The city has a humid continental climate with warm or very warm summer. Winter (November until early March) can be very cold and there is little sunshine. Snowfall is fairly frequent in most years and night time temperatures of −15 °C (5 °F) are not uncommon between middle December and middle February. The spring months (March and April) see variable conditions, with a rapid increase in the average temperature. The weather in late March and April is often very agreeable during the day and fresh at night. The city's long summer, usually lasting from May until middle September, is warm or very warm. Budapest has as much summer sunshine as many Mediterranean resorts. Sudden heavy showers also occur, particularly in May and June. The autumn (middle September until late October) is characterized by little rain and long sunny days with moderate temperatures. At the end of October, the weather often turns abruptly colder.

Districts of Budapest

Although Budapest is administratively divided into 23 numbered districts which are always written in Roman numerals, it is often colloquially divided into parts consisting of the two major cities of Buda and Pest plus one historic district. Buda: The area located west from the Danube containing Districts I, II, III, XI, XII, XXII as well as the area of Óbuda in the north which is the third, smaller town before the unification. Castle Hill: District I of Buda, the oldest part of the city containing the Castle and some of Budapest's best-known attractions such as Fishermen’s Bastion, the Labyrinth and Mathias Church. Pest: The area located east from the Danube containing Districts IV to IX, traditionally associated with a more pulsating city atmosphere.

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Budapest

Get in

Budapest · Get in tion in Budapest city center. The trip takes approximately 25 minutes. Public Transport: There are bus services from Terminal 2 available for 24 hours providing connection to the city center. They are the 200E Bus (connecting with Metro 3), running from 4 am to 11 pm, and the 900 Nightbus (connecting with 950 Bus), running from 11 pm to 4 am. The 200E Bus normally departs every 10 minuties while the 900 Nightbus departs every 30 to 60 minutes. Mini Buses and Shuttles: Several companies operate airport shuttles taking passengers to any destination in the city. Other shuttles and coach services exist to outlying towns in Hungary, Romania and Serbia. Taxis: Only one taxi company (Főtaxi) is authorized to use the airport cab stands. Car Rental: Nearly all major rental companies operate at Ferihegy.

Inside the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport

By Plane Budapest Franz Liszt International Airport (IATA: BUD) is the country's largest airport, located around 16 km (10 miles) southeast of the city center. Formerly known as Budapest Ferihegy International Airport, it is the international airport serving the Hungarian capital city with international connections primarily within Europe as well as to Africa and the Middle East. Terminals: The airport has two terminals. It is wise to double-check your arrival and departure terminal. While Terminal 2A is within a short walking distance from Terminal 2B, the distance between Terminal 1 (nearer to the city center) and Terminal 2 is quite sizable with the trip taking around 6 to 8 minutes by car or 12 minutes by bus. The small, renovated Terminal 1 (gates 1-10) is used by lowcost airlines both from Schengen and non-Schengen zone destinations. The more spacious Terminal 2 (opened in 1985 and the hub of the Hungarian national carrier, Malév) is divided in two: Terminal 2A (gates 20-30) serves all Schengen zone destinations. Terminal 2B (gates 11-19) serves all non-Schengen zone destinations.

By Train Train Stations: The city's main railway stations are Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station), Déli pályaudvar (Southern Railway Station) and Nyugati pályaudvar (Western Railway Station). The stations are named for their geographic location in the city, not for the direction of the destinations served by each. The stations are well connected to each other and to the rest of the city. Keleti and Déli Railway Stations are located on Metro 2 while the Nyugati Railway Station is on Metro 3. A transfer should take less than 20 minutes during peak hours, slightly more on weekends and evenings. Connections: Trains connect Budapest with almost all countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The major cities with regular train connections to Budapest are Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Prague, Bratislava, Warsaw, Bucharest, Ljubljana and Zagreb. There are also seasonal trains coming from Belgrade, Sarajevo, Sofia, Kiev and Moscow. Most of the international trains including domestic trains to/from Miskolc, Eger, Győr and Szombathely, are stationed at Keleti as well.

Connections: MALÉV, the Hungarian national flag carrier, operates direct flights between Budapest and major European cities and some countries of the Middle East, Asia and North Africa. Hungarian discount airline Wizz Air operates flights between Budapest and many European cities. Delta Airlines and American Airlines operate direct flights between Budapest and New York City. Many other airlines also operate service to/from Budapest. Airport Transfers: Rail: Hungarian State Railways runs suburban and long-distance services between Terminal 1 and Nyugati Railway Sta-

Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station)

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Budapest

Budapest · Get Around By Bicycle Crossing Hungary and arriving to Budapest is easy as Eurovelo 6 links to Vienna and Belgrade. Following the Danube, the road is flat and separated from cars. Spring will offer the best weather to travel by bike through Hungary.

Interior of Keleti pályaudvar

Facilities: Train stations in Budapest are not up to Western quality standards. They are hard to access for people with disabilities and their facilities are very limited. Be prepared for long queues at the ticket office. English is rarely spoken. Do not expect luggage trolleys or clean toilets. Food and drinks available at the stations are substandard. It is also difficult to find a good nearby cafe if you did not research in advance. Tourist Reminder: Do not accept any offer from taxi drivers waiting around the station entrance.

By Bus Connections: Hungary’s national bus network is operated by Volán Association. If you arrive to Budapest from another Hungarian city, bus is often the best option. International bus routes are operated by Eurolines with the majority of the connections running two or three times a week. On the otherhand, connections to/from Austria and Slovakia run daily. Bus Stations: Although Budapest’s long distance bus stations are located outside the city center, they are very well connected to the rest of the city. The main stations are: Népliget Bus Station (Népliget autóbuszállomás, metro 3, Népliget station): Buses from abroad and most of Western Hungarian destinations arrive and depart here. Stadion Bus Station (Stadion autóbuszállomás, formerly known as Népstadion autóbuszállomás, metro 2, Stadionok station); This is the biggest hub for Eastern Hungarian destinations. Árpád Bridge Bus Station (Árpád híd autóbuszállomás, metro 3, Árpád híd station): This is a smaller station for some northern destinations and suburban traffic. Use it to and from Szentendre, Esztergom or Visegrád. Etele tér Bus Station (Etele téri autóbuszállomás, bus 7E, 173E): This is a newly built station next to Kelenföld Railway Station. It is useful for getting to Statue Park and some suburban destinations.

Designated Bike Lane

Get Around Orientation Orientation is not a big problem in Budapest. The river Danube splits the city into two areas: Buda and Pest. Aside from the very center, the city's structure is quite logical. Landmarks in Buda as the Royal Castle or Citadella Castle also help you to find your way. Besides the Danube itself, the best reference points for orienting yourself are the bridges crossing the river. From North to South, they are: Árpád Bridge (Árpád híd): It is a modern bridge linking to Northern Margaret Island and is the longest bridge in Budapest at 973 meters. Margaret Bridge (Margit híd): It is easily identifiable thanks to its distinctive shape. It makes an approximately 35 degree turn half way across, at the southern tip of Margaret Island. Trams 4 and 6 cross the Danube here. It is located at the north of the city center. Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd): It is the oldest, arguably the most beautiful and certainly the most photographed of Budapest's bridges. It was the first permanent bridge across the Danube. Elisabeth Bridge (Erzsébet híd): This bridge was dedicated to the murdered Queen in 1898. It is the third newest bridge of the city.

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Budapest

Liberty Bridge (Szabadság híd): It connects the Gellért Baths (Gellért fürdő) in Buda with the Great Market Hall (Nagyvásárcsarnok) in Pest. Petőfi Bridge (Petőfi híd): This southernmost bridge links the inner ring road (Nagykörút) of Pest with Buda. Rákóczi Bridge (formerly Lágymányosi Bridge or Lágymányosi híd): This bridge is the southernmost, connecting the settlements of Buda and Pest.

Liberty Bridge

Tram 2 runs along the Danube on the Pest side while Tram 19 runs on the Buda side. They offer a ride with great views of the opposite side. Tram 4 and 6 follow Nagykörút (Grand Boulevard) offering air conditioned service up to every 3 minutes at peak times as well as throughout the night. They cross over to Buda on Margaret Bridge in the north and on Petőfi Bridge in the south. After which, the two lines diverge for their last two stops in South Buda. Bus 7, 7E and 173, 173E connect Keleti railway station with the city center and many points of interest in Buda and Pest. Bus 16/16A and 116 take you to Buda Castle from Széll Kálmán tér (former Moszkva tér). Bus 16 starts from Deák Ferenc Tér, the metro line hub. Bus 105 connects Hősök tere (Hero's Square) to Deák Ferenc Tér through Andrássy boulevard, before it crosses the Chain Bridge to Buda and passes by Déli Pályaudvar (Southern Railway Station). Bus 200E connects the airport with the Metro 3 terminus Köbánya-Kispest. Night travel services are provided by the Tram 6 as well as a number of night buses lines. Tickets and Passes: The city's public transportation is run by Budapest Transport Limited Company (BKV). Their English-language website provides information on current schedules and fares. If you intend to travel a lot, travel cards are far less expensive than single journey tickets. In the evenings and nights, finding a place to buy tickets can be hard. Ticket machines are usually out of order and the vendors are also closed.

Bridges in Budapest

The tickets must be validated on the vehicles while and on the subway, they are validated before entering the platform. Although in most places you will find regular ticket validating machines, some older vehicles only have mechanical ticket validators. When using these, you must pull the black lever on the top of the validator after putting in the ticket. It validates the ticket by punching holes in it.

Public Transport

You may also find these multiple journey cards valuable depending on the length of your stay:

While you will find several points of interest within walking distance, Budapest is still a sizeable city. The city is well covered by a network consisting of three metro lines, blue buses, red trolley-buses and yellow trams. The whole system is fairly easy to understand. On the other hand, schedules are not quite as reliable and the vehicles are not always the cleanest. Tickets have become increasingly expensive as well. It is worth investing into a public transportation map at any BKV ticket sales desk. You can also find detailed public transport maps in some tram stops, especially along the 4-6 tram lines and in the metro stations. Transportation Lines Useful for Tourists: Metro 1, 2, and 3 connect the suburbs with the biggest transport hubs, numerous tourt highlights and central hotels.

Budapest · Get Around

Budapest Card (Budapest kártya): allows the holder unlimited free travel in the city with discounts at museums and restaurants, coming in 24 hour and 72 hour options One-Day Travel Card (Budapest 24 órás jegy): valid for 24 hours after purchase and valid also on MÁV trains and suburban yellow Volán buses One-Day Group Travel Card (Budapest csoportos 24 órás jegy):applicable for a maximum of 5 people travelling together and valid for 24 hours after purchase Three-Day Travel Card (Budapest 72 órás jegy): valid for 72 hours after purchase Seven-Day Travel Card : valid on the day when purchased and on the following 6 days Fourteen-day pass (kétheti Budapest-bérlet): valid for 14 consecutive days with a photo pass (take a passport size

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Budapest

photo to the ticket office) and also valid on MÁV trains and suburban yellow Volán buses Inspectors: When using the public transport, you should always have a valid ticket or pass. There is a correponding fine for not having one. You are likely to run into ticket inspectors, especially in trams and buses on Sunday. They also guard the entrance and exit to many metro stations. They rarely speak English and some were reported to be keen on controlling tourists. Although they can ask for your ID, they are not considered police officers under Hungarian law. If you do pay a fine on the spot, ask for a receipt. Tourist Reminders: A new bus and tram numbering system has recently been introduced in Budapest. Various tram and bus lines have now new numbers and many routes have been modified. Do not believe your map edited before September 2008 or you will inevitably get lost. Also, a number of places (streets, squares, parks) were renamed mid-2011, resulting in the renaming of public transportation stops as well as the modification of their schedules.

Budapest · Get Around Numbers between 800 and 899 denote mid-range suburban services provided by Volán company as such, BKV tickets and most tourist passes are not valid on them.

By Suburban Rail Green suburban railway lines (called HÉV) connect central Budapest with several suburbs. Note that your tickets and travel passes are valid only within the city boundaries. Otherwise, you should purchase a supplementary ticket (kiegészítő jegy) at a ticket office.

By Other Services

Scenic

Transportation

By Metro The underground network consists of three lines, connecting several centrally located sights, railway and autobus stations with suburbs. The lines cross only at Deák tér station in Central Pest. Many stations have been recently renovated. Metro Lines: The historic Metro 1 or Millennium Subway (yellow line) connects the Városliget (city park) with touristy Vörösmarty Tér in Pest center, passing the Opera and Heroes' Square, as it mostly follows the majestic boulevard Andrássy út. Metro 2 (red line) connects Déli pályaudvar (Southern Railway Station in Buda) with Eastern Pest, passing Széll Kálmán Tér (former Moszkva tér, Buda's top transport hub), Kossuth tér (the Parliament) and Keleti Pályaudvar (Keleti Railway Station). Metro 3 (blue line) can assist you in reaching the airport as you can change to Bus 200 at Kőbánya-Kispest terminus.

Tram

Tram: Budapest's 25 tram lines offer a slower but more scenic way of getting around. Lines 4/6 run all night.

By Bus The dense bus network connects the suburban zones with several metro and train stations including the city center Important Signages: Numbers with an added 'E' (for example 7E or 173E) indicate express services that do not stop at all stops. Numbers with an added 'A' have shorter routes than their regular counterparts (for example bus 30 has a longer itinerary than 30A). Numbers above 900 denote night services.

Trolley-Buses

Trolley-Bus: The city has 13 trolley-bus lines running in Northeast and Central Pest. Some of them pass through the City Park (Városliget) and cross Andrássy Avenue (Andrássy út), giving you beautiful views while using this eco-friendly mode of transport. Line 70 connecting Kossuth Square (Parliament) to City

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Budapest

Budapest · Get Around

Park (Városliget) also passes through the lively Nagymező utca which is considered as Budapest's version of broadway.

Zugligeti Libegő

Cogwheel Railway

Cogwheel Railway (Fogaskerekű vasút): This is a tram-like railway with historic charm, running from Városmajor terminus then climbing Széchenyi hill , Buda's popular picnic, excursion and sledging place. BKV tickets and passes are valid.

Zugliget Chairlift (Zugligeti Libegő): It is a chairlift, taking you from Zugliget to János hegy. You will have a nice view while traveling. BKV tickets and passes are not valid.

By Foot Many of Budapest's highlights are easy to approach walking. In the center, you will find more pedestrian zones from year to year. Car drivers tend to respect pedestrians and often give advantage on cross-walk even if there is no traffic light. Tourist Reminders: Due to the lack of bike lanes, cyclists have to weave around pedestrian traffic. It is not advisable to wear high-heeled shoes in the downtown area as there are lots of stone pavements, especially in Castle Hill.

By Car

Budavári sikló

Buda Castle Funicular (Budavári sikló): This handsome, short funicular line takes you from the Buda end of Chain Bridge to Buda Castle, offering a breath-taking scenario as it emerges from street level. As it is considered a tourist sight, BKV tickets and passes are not valid.

Apart from the summer holiday, Budapest has heavy traffic especially in the morning and in the late afternoon. If you do not want to spend your visit to Budapest in a traffic jam, use the public transport. Driving across the center requires some local know-how to be efficient.

By Taxi In normal traffic conditions, you can get around in the central areas in 10 to 25 minutes by taxi. Budapest's taxi drivers are not always prepared for English speaking clients. It is best to call one of the major taxi companies with English speaking switchboards to avoid problems. Do not accept offers from taxi drivers waiting in the airport terminals or railway stations. Use your common sense. Hail taxis carrying logos of the bigger companies such as 6x6 Taxi, Budapest Taxi, Budataxi, City Taxi, Főtaxi, Mobil Taxi, Radio Taxi, Taxi 2000, Taxi Plus, Tele 5 Taxi and Zóna Taxi.

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Budapest

Budapest · See

By Scooter Although not as fancy as in Rome or Paris, scooters are becoming more common in the streets of Budapest. Inside the city, scooters can be driven on the tram and bus ways, often buzzing in between traffic. Although most car drivers are quite used to the scooters around them, some can still be slight irresponsible. If you ignore their pushiness and drive conservatively, you should not experience any problem. The best roads are the main ring roads as these have plenty of space with good asphalt. The smaller in between roads including the roads in hilly Buda, can be of lesser quality with some unexpected potholes or tough to see speed bumps. Tourist Reminders: In Hungary, a scooter with an engine of up to 50cc can be driven without a license plate and with only a regular car driver's license. However, it cannot be driven with a passenger. For scooters and motorcycles with an engine size above 50cc, a license plate and motorcycle driver's license is required. If you are experienced with driving a scooter, it is a great way to experience the city. Helmets are compulsory.

A View from Fisherman's Bastion

See Matthias Church: It is a Roman Catholic church located infront of the Fisherman's Bastion at the heart of Buda's Castle District. The current building was constructed in the florid late Gothic style in the second half of the 14th century and was extensively restored in the late 19th century. It was the second largest church of medieval Buda and the seventh largest church of medieval Hungarian Kingdom.

Fisherman's Bastion

Buda Castle: It is the historical castle and palace complex of the Hungarian kings in Budapest and was first completed in 1265. In the past, it has been called Royal Palace. It is located on the southern tip of Castle Hill and is a part of the Budapest World Heritage Site. While here, do not forget to visit the National Gallery located inside.

Matthias Church

Fisherman's Bastion: It offers impressive views across the Danube to Pest. This neo-Gothic construction was built in 1905 by architect Frigyes Schulek. It is composed of seven towers that are symbolizing the leaders of the seven magyar clans that came in the Carpathian Basin at the end of the 9th century.

Buda Castle

Margaret Island: It is located in the middle of the Danube in Central Budapest. It belongs administratively to the 13th district under the name of Margitsziget. The island is mostly covered by landscape parks and is a popular recreational area. Its medieval ruins are reminders of its importance in the Middle

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12


Budapest

Budapest · See

Ages as a religious center. The island spans the area between the Margaret Bridge (south) and the Árpád Bridge (north).

St. Stephen's Basilica Margaret Island

The Hungarian Parliament Building: It is the seat of the country's National Assembly and one of Europe's oldest legislative buildings. It is a notable landmark and a popular tourist destination. It lies in Lajos Kossuth Square, on the bank of the Danube. It is currently the largest building in the country and still the tallest building in Budapest.

Dohány Street Synagogue (Great Synagogue): Budapest was home to one of the largest Jewish community in Europe before the war. The Great Synagogue, opened in 1859, is the largest and certainly among the most beautiful ones in Europe, recently restored to its former grandeur. Aside from the Great Synagogue, the complex consists of the Heroes' Temple, the graveyard, the Holocaust Memorial and the Jewish Museum. Dohány Street itself, a leafy street in the city center, carries strong Holocaust connotations.

Hungarian Parliament Building

St. Stephen's Basilica: It is a Roman Catholic basilica named in honour of Stephen, the first King of Hungary. The mummified right hand of St. Stephen is kept in the chapel. It has a 96 meter high dome that can be seen from anywhere in the city.

Inside the Dohány Street Synagogue

Gellért Hill: It overlooks the Danube and is part of the 1st and 11th districts. It was named after Saint Gerard who was thrown to death from the hill. While here, do not forget to pay a visit to its notable landmarks. The famous Hotel Gellért and the Gellért Baths can be found in Gellért Square at the foot of the hill, next to Liberty Bridge. The Gellért Hill Cave is located within the hill, facing toward Hotel Gellért and the Danube. At the top of the hill, you can find the Citadella (citadel), from which a view is available down both directions of the Danube.

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Budapest

Budapest · See ic statue complex, the Millennium Memorial, was completed in 1900. It lies at the end of Andrássy Avenue with which it comprises part of an extensive World Heritage site.

Inside the Gellért Hill Cave

Heroes' Square

State Opera House: It is a neo-Renaissance opera house located on Andrássy út. It is home to the Budapest Opera Ball, a society event dating back to 1886. Today, it is the largest opera building in the whole of Hungary.

Gellért Hill

Chain Bridge: This was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest and was opened in 1849. At the time of its construction, it was regarded as one of the modern world's engineering wonders. It has asserted an enormous significance in the country's economic, social and cultural life. It became a symbol of advancement and national awakening.

State Opera House

Aquincum: It is the biggest and the most important Roman ruin in Hungary. It was a city in the Roman times and its remains were turned into a great open-air museum, situated in the Óbuda district of Northern Buda.

Chain Bridge At Night

Heroes' Square (Hősök tere): This is one of the major squares of the city rich with historic and political connotations. Its icon-

Roman Bath Ruins, Aquincum

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Budapest

Budapest · Do mances. If you want to enjoy Hungary's outstanding display of talent, it is best to pay a visit to any of the following venues: State Opera House Palace of Arts Theatre Madách Budapest Operetta Theatre Trafó House of Contemporary Arts Budai Vigado (Hungarian Heritage House)

Watch A Movie

Aquincum Ruins

Do Explore the Park City Park (Városliget) is a must visit place for the varied activities it offers especially if you are visiting Budapest with your children. Here, you can ice skate at Central Europe's largest ice surface during winter, check out the fairytale-like building of the Vajdahunyad Castle, explore the zoo and if you want to really destress and relax, you may head off to Széchenyi Spa. There is even an amusement park on site suitable for both adults and children.

In spite of increasing funding difficulties, quality cinema has remained alive in Budapest. For ontemporary non-mainstream European and Hungarian titles, it is advisable to turn to Budapest’s excellent art house movie chain, Art Mozi. Most of its branches are provided with a café or pub, offering a pleasant atmosphere to spend your evening. A few selected cinemas of this chain are the following: Uránia National Movie Theatre: It combines mainstream European artistic movies with new Hungarian films, the latter ones sporadically subtitled in English. Cinema Puskin: It is the most mainstream among the art house movie theatres in Budapest. It is an elegant, decorated multiplex offering quality, but generally easy-to-watch Hungarian and foreign films. Cinema Művész: This is probably the most popular movie theatre from the Art Mozi chain in Budapest. Many Hungarian movies are shown with English subtitles. Just inquire at the desk.

Relax at the Baths

City Park's Ice Rink with Vajdahunyad Castle at the background

Enjoy the Arts

Széchenyi Baths

Aside from a renowned music scene, Hungary has a surprisingly rich theatre and art scene. Not surprisingly, Budapest is the epicenter of it. Performace season begins in the middle of September and ends in June. Productions range from classic dramas, traditional operas to post modern dance perfor-

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Budapest

Budapest · Do There is a joint ticket for both Pálvölgyi and the Szemlőhegyi caves as the caves are walking distance to each other. You can just ask for a map from either cave ticket office. There are areas which are are easily accessible and well-lit, making them better for the slightly claustrophobic among us. However, to really enjoy the true beauty of the caves, you must go on the longer more strenuous tours. Due to the times that the tours start, you are better of starting at Szemlőhegyi then taking the 15 minute walk to Pál-völgyi.

Gellért Baths

Thermal baths or spas in Budapest are popular tourist attractions as well as public comforts for the city's residents. One of the reasons the Romans first colonized the area immediately to the west of the Danube is so that they could utilize and enjoy the thermal springs. There are still ruins visible today of the enormous baths that were built during that period. The new baths that were constructed during the Turkish period (1541– 1686) served both bathing and medicinal purposes. Some of these are still in use to this day. Budapest gained its reputation as a city of spas in the 1920s, following the first realization of the economic potential of the thermal waters in drawing in visitors. In 1934, Budapest was officially ranked as a "City of Spas". Some of the city's baths are the following: Széchenyi Baths, Rudas Baths, Lukács Baths, Gellért Baths and Király Baths.

The Pálvölgyi Cave is recommended for the adventurous tourist who wants a taste of authentic caving instead of the more tourist friendly version. There, you are expected to climb ladders and squeeze through long and very narrow passages thus, not advisable for young children and the physically challenged. How to Get There: Szemlőhegyi Cave: Take the number 29 bus from Kolosy tér and get off at the Szemlőhegyi barlang stop. Pálvölgyi Cave: Take the number 65 bus from Kolosy Square. You have to step off at the fifth bus stop, named Pálvölgyi cave.

Traditional Public Baths (Gellért Baths and Széchenyi Spa):Traditional public baths used to have a slightly outdated but nowadays improving service and admission system, allowing an authentic bathing experience with the locals around you. At the cash desk, you sometimes have to select treatments in advance as they are often offered in distinct places of the building. Bathing time is not restricted and depending on the system, if you are finished earlier, part of your fee is repaid. Towels and sometimes bathrobe can be rented either at the entrance or inside. Changing clothes can be done either in a common area with lockers which are gender segregated or in cabins which may come in different sizes thus, highly useful for families. Note that in swimming pools, swimming caps are sometimes obligatory and often available for sale or rent.

Caving The city is world renowned for its spas. However, it should also be known for its caves. Budapest has approximately 200 caves of which some are open to the public. Caving in Budapest ranges from the well lit and renovated Szemlőhegyi Cave to some of the more extreme tours in Pálvölgyi Cave. There are English guided tours available. The tour includes the safety gear such as the helmet with headlamp plus the overall. It is advisable to wear warm clothing with good hiking boots.

Pálvölgyi Cave

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Budapest

Budapest · Buy

Inside the Great Market Hall

Szemlőhegyi Cave Facade of the Great Market Hall

Buy

Paprika Stall

Vaci Utca

Váci Utca (Váci Street) is one of the main pedestrian thoroughfares and perhaps the most famous street of central Budapest. It features a large number of restaurants and shops catering primarily to the tourist market. While the big name stores are safe enough not to get ripped off, the smaller shops and cafes are not averse to overcharging tourists.

Located at the end of Váci utca, you should definitely visit the Great Market Hall (aka Central Market Hall). It is the largest and oldest covered market of the city. This is the right place to buy a hungarian souvenir or to eat traditional food. You will see here various produce, meats, pastries, candies, spices and spirits aside from eateries and shops selling souvenir items. Prices for the same items vary a lot between sellers and are not fixed so be sure to compare and bargain.

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Budapest

Budapest · Eat Souvenir Shop

Eat

Shops along Andrássy Avenue

Aside from Váci Utca and the Great Market Hall, another must visit spot is the Andrássy Avenue (Andrássy út) especially if you want to shop for more high end items. Andrássy Avenue is an iconic boulevard dating back to 1872. It links Erzsébet Square with the Városliget. Lined with spectacular neo-renaissance mansions and townhouses featuring fine facades and interiors, it was recognised as a World Heritage Site in 2002. It is also one of Budapest's main shopping streets, with fine cafes, restaurants, theatres and luxury boutiques. Opening Hours: Generally, majority of the shops in the city are closed on Sundays. Only the bigger supermarkets are open on Sundays. Particularly in Pest, there are many convenience stores selling basic items such as alcohol, cigarettes, drinks and snacks that are open 24 hours. Payment and Taxe Refunds: Although the large shops accept credit cards, it is best to have cash at hand when shopping in small shops and markets. The value added tax (VAT) is normally included in the price of the commodities and services. Refunds are available on most purchases that normally exceed approximately €200. You can ask the sales assistants to help you with the necessary documents (receipt, seperate receipt showing the VAT amount and VAT reclaim form). You can get your refund from the IBUSZ Agency located in the Ferenc Liszt International Airport What to Buy: embroidery, pillowcases, pottery, porcelain and other Hungarian folk-art souvenirs, absinthe liquor, paprika

Restaurant Screne: Hungarian cuisine and restaurant experiences are happily remembered by visitors even if the Hungarian diet may seem rather meat-based to many western visitors. The city has a large variety of great places to eat at prices quite reasonable for Western Europeans. Here, you are expected to shell out around €4 for a budget lunch and around less than €15 for a nice evening meal in a mid-range restaurant. A meal above €20 per person is definitely considered expensive. However, there are enough lavish places above this price range for those looking for something special. Such top-notch restaurants will normally charge a wide range of prices.

Boat Restaurant

Tourist Trap: Like in some other cities, a number of restaurants see tourists as scapegoats. It is a good idea to avoid restaurants in the heart of the most tourist oriented areas like Váci utca, especially if all customers seem foreigners. In such cases, you are more likely than not to be served with mediocre food with a corresponding high bill padded with number of bizarre charges. In some restaurants, anything you do not explicitly ask for but appears on your table, is likely not to be free. Recommended Areas: Simply strolling the more central areas, such as near Nagykörút or the Pozsonyi út, will be enough to bump into nice places to test local cooking skill but not necessarily with a menu available in English though. Walking along the Danube on the Pest side, you will see a lot of restaurant and bar boats. Most of them serve traditional Hungarian and international dishes. Some of them function more as bars. Thanks to the beautiful panorama across the Danube and the castle, these places provide an unforgettable experience. Local Cuisine: Local specialities often revolve around meat (pork, beef, veal or poultry) and usually utilizing the liberal use of paprika (not necessarily of the hot kind) as well.

Traditional Staples Gulyás: a filling meat soup, usually beef, with potatoes and paprika among other ingredients. It is served as a main dish or as a heavy starter.

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Budapest

Budapest · Eat

Töltött Káposzta

Gulyás

Paprikás Csirke (Paprika Chicken): chicken cooked in delicious creamy non spicy paprika sauce

Gyümölcsleves: cold, creamy and sweet fruit soup consumed as a starter Somlói Galuska: a dessert with biscuit dough, cream and chocolate sauce

Paprikás Csirke

Pörkölt: a stew with sautéed onions and paprika. It is similar to what is served as 'goulash' abroad. Halászlé: fishermen's soup served differently depending on region Töltött Káposzta: stuffed cabbage with the cooked cabbage filled with meat and in a paprika sauce and served with sour cream

Somlói Galuska

Gundel Palacsinta: crepe with filling prepared with rum, raisin, walnuts and lemon zest, served with a chocolate sauce

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Budapest

Budapest · Drink

Drink Budapest offers plenty of places to drink, from cool and ultra-hip to rowdy and down-market. If you are in the mood for a particularly Hungarian experience, visit a borozó (wine pub). These offer cheap yet tasty Hungarian wine on tap at very low prices if you manage to find one outside the tourist circuit. Hungary is famous for its wines produced at Balaton area and Eger. Among red wines, the best are Kékfrankos and Egri Bikavér. For white wines, the Szürkebarát and Chardonnay are popular. You should try not to miss out on the Hungarian spirit, palinka which is made from fruits such as plum, apricot, cherry or williams pears. For unique Hungarian soft drinks, try Traubi Szoda (a white grape soda) and Márka (a sour cherry soda).

Apricot Palinka

Sleep Coffee House

Coffee houses (kávéház) are part of the traditional Budapest institution somewhat resembling Viennese lifestyle. Visit to one should be on every tourist's agenda. Aside from coffee and cakes, the pricier ones would even serve meals as well.

Budapest offers a wide range of accommodation in all price classes. Here, you will find hostels, small cheap pensions and a variety of hotels. The costs of staying in Budapest is notably higher than elsewhere in Hungary. Apartments is a viable alternative for those making extended stays. The most expensive lodging options are around the Castle Hill area. Eventhough it is cheaper to stay in Pest with the numerous reliable backpacker hostels, Buda has better air quality due to the closeness of the hills and the forests lying to the west from the city.

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20


Budapest

Budapest · Stay safe ern European and North American standards. You are unlikely to have any problem if you follow basic common sense. Just make sure that you have your belongings in your line of sight wherever you go. Specifically, wear your backpack infront or place your wallet in your front pocket if you are in dense areas or onboard public transportation. Wearing flashy jewellry should be avoided as well. Police: Although Hungarian policemen rarely speak English, tourists have no reason to be afraid of them unless breaking the law. During the peak tourist season, police patrolling major tourist areas are accompanied by bilingual or multilingual students who assist with problems or complaints. Police have also opened a 24/7 tourist information office located at Suto Street 2 in District V. The office renders assistance in English and German. Exploring During the Night: Mostly, there is no reason to have concerns about Budapest by night. In practice, the whole city including all the tourist frequented areas, Pest within the inner ring road (Nagykörút) and Buda are safe even before dawn. Most locals avoid walking alone by night in outer zones of 8th and 9th districts in Pest. The subway at Nyugati tér collects different types of people thus, it is generally not risky because of the heavy traffic day and night. Still, avoid looking lost. Eventhough beautiful during the day, bigger public parks are better avoided at night. Do not go to the dark paths alone around Citadella in Gellért Hill at night.

Variety of Lodging Options

Avoid homeless people asking for money or selling something in the big underpasses. Night buses and the tram number 6 passing through the city center can be very crowded at peak socializing times on Friday and Saturday nights. You may come across aggressive drunk youngsters on the vehicles or at the stops although major night lines are now guarded by security staff. It is best to keep a low profile. Important Hotlines: 107 (Police) and 105 (Fire) Although some may have been mentioned in the other chapters of this guide, for your convenience, please see the summary of important tourist reminders below.

Lounge inside the Wombats City Hostel

Tourist Reminder: Arriving trains are often met by touts and locals offering free rides to hostels or their apartments for rent. Try to figure out exactly where you are going before you choose. Researching ahead of time is recommended.

Stay safe Crimes: Violent crimes are very rare and racism or xenophobia against tourists, practically unknown. As a visitor to any other big city, pickpocketing is the most common crime against tourists. Still, the rate of pickpocketing is relatively low by West-

General Tourist Reminders Fototaxi is the official airport taxi company and generally reliable in terms of sticking with the advertised rates. Taxis in rail and bus stations are unfortunately not regulated thus, never trust the taxi drivers hanging around just outside such stations. It is best to call a major cab company ahead of time. Do not befriend the girls hanging around Váci utca. Never accept any invitation for a drink from them. A small conversation with them will likely result in you footing hundreds of euros worth of drinks at the end. Most of the erotic bars in Budapest are tourist traps. Currently, the standard trick is to produce a modified menu presented only when you are already asking for the bill. The usual trick employed is for the menu to have a small print at the

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Budapest

Budapest · Stay Healthy

bottom, stating the exorbitant cost of the first drink and that its consumption is mandatory. If you see people gambling on the streets, usually in popular tourist destinations like Buda Castle, stay away! Such games are normally rigged with cohorts working together to lure unsuspecting tourists to place a wager. Alltough it may appear fair, it is not. Whatever restaurant you go specficially in Váci utca, always see the prices on the menu. Every restaurant is obliged to put its full menu with prices outside the restaurant. If you cannot find this, the place is most likely to be very expensive.

Stay Healthy Health Situation: The biggest health threat in the city is air pollution and it gets worse during the summer months. Smoking: As of 2012, Hungary has prohibited smoking in public places including restaurants. Water: Tap water is generally safe to drink. Toilet Facilities: Except for the malls, you will unlikely find a public toilet in Budapest. You can however use the toliet facilities located inside the cafés, fastfood chains and restaurant for a fee. It is best to always have a few hundred forints with you. Pharmacy and Medical Assistance: There is approximately atleast one pharmacy in every district. Normally, if a pharmacy is closed, it will have an accompanying note with the location of the other nearest pharmacy. If you need any medical assistance, there is an English speaking hotline with an English speaking doctor available upon request as well. English Speaking Medical Assistance Hotline: (+36-1) 200-0100 Important Hotlines: 112 (General Emergency/ English Assistance) and 104 (Ambulance)

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Restaurants

Restaurants · Top Best Restaurants

Top Older couples

Restaurants

Restaurants

Top Best Restaurants Onyx Restaurant

cuisine Continental, Fusion, Diner price $24 - $133 place Vorosmarty square 7-8. Entrance from the Harmincad Street, Budapest 1051, Hungary

Comme Chez Soi

cuisine Italian price $49 place 1051 Budapest, Aranykez u. 2 ., Budapest, Hungary

Onyx Restaurant

cuisine Continental, Fusion, Diner price $26 - $131 place Vorosmarty square 7-8. Entrance from the Harmincad Street, Budapest 1051, Hungary

Comme Chez Soi

cuisine Italian price $49 place 1051 Budapest, Aranykez u. 2 ., Budapest, Hungary

Arany Kaviar

place 19 Ostrom Utca, I, Budapest, Hungary

Arany Kaviar

Carat Restaurant

Carat Restaurant

Hunyadi Etterem Restaurant

place 19 Ostrom Utca, I, Budapest, Hungary place Hegyalja 14, Budapest 1016, Hungary

Hunyadi Etterem Restaurant

cuisine Hungarian price $8 - $30 place Hunyadi J. u. 17 | 1011 Budapest, I. district., Budapest, Hungary

Ristorante Krizia

price $22 - $27 place Mozsar utca 12., Budapest 1066, Hungary

Taverna Dionysos

cuisine Greek price $6 - $55 place V. Belgrad rakpart 16 | 1056, Budapest, Hungary

50Bar

cuisine Fusion, Hungarian price $3 - $19 place Frankel Leo ut 48, Budapest 1023, Hungary

Borsso Bistro

place Kiralyi Pal u. 14, Budapest 1053, Hungary

Paprika

cuisine Eastern European price $22 - $31 place Dozsa Gyorgy ut 72, Budapest 1071, Hungary

Fausto's

cuisine Italian place Szekely Mihaly utca 2., Budapest 1061, Hungary

Tigris

price $10 - $29 place Merleg u. 10., Budapest 1052, Hungary

Spirit Restaurant & Club

cuisine Café, Hungarian, International, Steakhouse price $9 - $99

Cafe Jubilee Budapest

cuisine Café, Italian, Mediterranean price $11 - $13 place Szent Istvan Krt. 13., Budapest 1055, Hungary

La Pampa Steakhouse cuisine Argentinean price $21 - $51

place Hegyalja 14, Budapest 1016, Hungary cuisine Hungarian price $8 - $30 place Hunyadi J. u. 17 | 1011 Budapest, I. district., Budapest, Hungary

Ristorante Krizia

price $22 - $29 place Mozsar utca 12., Budapest 1066, Hungary

Taverna Dionysos

cuisine Greek price $4 - $53 place V. Belgrad rakpart 16 | 1056, Budapest, Hungary

50Bar

cuisine Fusion, Hungarian price $5 - $19 place Frankel Leo ut 48, Budapest 1023, Hungary

Borsso Bistro

place Kiralyi Pal u. 14, Budapest 1053, Hungary

Paprika

cuisine Eastern European price $22 - $29 place Dozsa Gyorgy ut 72, Budapest 1071, Hungary

Top Italian Fausto's

place Szekely Mihaly utca 2., Budapest 1061, Hungary

Comme Chez Soi

price $49 place 1051 Budapest, Aranykez u. 2 ., Budapest, Hungary

Cafe Jubilee Budapest

price $9 - $13 place Szent Istvan Krt. 13., Budapest 1055, Hungary

Trattoria Toscana

price $11 - $27 place Belgras Rakpart 13 | 5th District, Budapest H-1052, Hungary

Pomo D'Oro

place 9 Arany, Budapest 1051, Hungary

Fausto's Osteria

place Dohany utca 5, Budapest 1072, Hungary

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Restaurants

Vapiano

price $8 - $14 place Becsi u. 5. | I. kerulet, Budapest, Hungary

Terzo Cerchio (il)

price $16 - $24 place Dohany utca 40, Budapest 1077, Hungary

Caffe GianMario

price $5 - $13 place Bajcsy-Zsilinszky ut 35, Budapest 1065, Hungary

Millennium da Pippo

price $14 - $22 place Andrassy ut 76., Budapest 1062, Hungary

Restaurants · Top Asian

Top Vegetarian Govinda

place V. ker. Vigyazo Ferenc utca 4., Budapest, Hungary

Icon the restaurant

price $15 - $33 place Hess Andras ter 1-3, Budapest 1014, Hungary

Gorilla Vega Bufet Macska Restaurant

place 23 Berkocsis u. | 8th district, Budapest, Hungary

Edeni Vegan Etterem

place 1011 Budapest, Iskola u. 31, Budapest, Hungary

Top Asian Karma Cafe & Restaurant

cuisine Indian, Thai, Malaysian, Seafood, Fondue price $8 - $29 place Liszt Ferenc ter 11, Budapest, Hungary

Birs Bisztro

place 1092 Budapest | Raday Utca 49, Budapest, Hungary

Falafel

place Paulay Ede u 53, Budapest, Hungary

Bangkok Thai Restaurant

cuisine Thai place 1056 Budapest, So u. 3., Budapest 1056 , Hungary

Baraka Restaurant & Lounge

cuisine Asian fusion place Andrassy u. 111 | Andrassy Hotel, Budapest 1062, Hungary

Leroy Bistro

cuisine European, Hungarian, Japanese, Sushi price $8 - $28 place Alkotas ut 53, Budapest 1123, Hungary

Papirtigris

cuisine Asian price $4 - $14 place Veres Palne 22., Budapest 1052, Hungary

Rickshaw Restaurant & Sushi Bar

cuisine Asian price $20 - $40 place Erzsebet krt 43-49, Budapest 1073, Hungary

Fuji Japanese Restaurant

cuisine Japanese price $31 - $39 place Csatarka ut 54., Budapest 1025, Hungary

Parazs Preszo

cuisine Hungarian, Thai price $7 - $17 place 1067 Budapest Szobi utca 4, Budapest 1067, Hungary

Daikichi

cuisine Japanese place Meszaros utca 64, Budapest 1015, Hungary

Thai Buddha Etterem

cuisine Thai place V. kerulet, Terez Krt., Budapest, Hungary

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24


Useful info

Useful info · Sunrise/Sunset

Useful info

Useful info

Sunrise/Sunset Sun will rise at 06:49:40 and will set at 17:06:55 in local time.

Currency The currency from Hungary is the Forint (HUF). 1 HUF costs: Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 EUR United States Dollar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 USD Yen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.45 JPY Pound Sterling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 GBP Czech Koruna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.09 CZK Danish Krone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.02 DKK Forint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00 HUF Litas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.01 LTL New Zloty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.01 PLN Swedish Krona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.03 SEK Swiss Franc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 CHF Norwegian Krone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.03 NOK Croatian Kuna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.02 HRK Australian Dollar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 AUD Canadian Dollar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 CAD Yuan Renminbi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.03 CNY Hong Kong Dollar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.03 HKD Rupiah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52.45 IDR Republic of Korean Won . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.70 KRW Ringgit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.01 MYR New Zealand Dollar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.01 NZD Philippines Peso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.20 PHP Singapore Dollar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.01 SGD Baht . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.14 THB Rand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.05 ZAR

Useful phrases English

Hungarian

Welcome Hello Hello(on phone) Good morning Good afternoon Good evening Good night, Night night, Nighty Night, Good night, sleep tight, hope the bedbugs don't bite! Goodbye How are you? Reply

Üdvözlet Jó napot kívánok / Szervusz / Szia Halló Jó reggelt (kívánok) Jó napot (kívánok) Jó estét (kívánok) Jó éjszakát (kívánok) Szia / Viszlát (inf) Viszontlátásra (frm) Hogy vagy? (inf) Hogy van? (frm) Köszönöm, jól. És Ön?

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Useful info

English

Useful info · Passport and Visa Hungarian

Long time no see What's your name? My name is ... Where are you from? I come from ... Pleased to meet you Good luck Cheers! Bottoms up! Down the hatch! Mud in your eye! Bon appetit! Enjoy your meal! (frm) Enjoy! Tuck in! Get stuck in! Eat already! (inf/slang) Happy eating! Get your laughing gear round this! (inf/slang) Bon voyage / have a good journey Excuse me Sorry How much is this? / How much does this cost? Please Thank you Thank you very much Thank you kindly Thanks a lot Many thanks Thanks Cheers Ta (used mainly in northen England) You're welcome Don't mention it My pleasure No problem No probs Not a problem No worries No big deal Where's the toilet / lavatory / bathroom / restroom / powder room / gents/ladies? Where's the loo / bog / dunny / little boys'/ girls' room? (inf/slang) Have a nice day Get well soon Would you like to dance with me? I love you I don't understand Please say that again Please speak more slowly Can you please write it down? How do you say ... in english? Do you speak english? Yes, a little Leave me alone! Help!

Rég nem találkoztunk! Rég nem láttalak! (see) Rég nem hallottam rólad/felőled! (hear) Mi a neve? A nevem ... Hová valósi Ön? Én ...ból/ből vagyok Örvendek / Örülök, hogy megismertelek Sok szerencsét kivánok! Kedves egészségére! Egészségedre! (sg) Egészségetekre! (pl) (to your health) Jó étvágyat!

Jó utat kívánok! Elnézést! Bocsánat! Ez mennyibe kerül? Mennyibe kerül ez? Kérem Köszi / Köszönöm Köszönöm szépen

Szívesen Nincs mit Hol van a mosdó?

Szép napot! Jobbulást Szeretne táncolni velem? (frm) Szeretnél táncolni velem? (inf) Szeretlek Nem értem Megismételné? Tudna lassabban beszélni? (frm) Tudnál lassabban beszélni? (inf) Írja le, kérem! Leírná, kérem? Hogyan mondjam magyarul ... ? Beszél magyarul? (frm)Beszélsz magyarul? (inf) Igen, egy kicsit Hagyjon engem békén! Segítség!

Passport and Visa

Passport required

Return ticket required

Visa required

Australian British Canadian Other EU USA

Yes Yes Yes 1 Yes

No No No No No

No/3 No/2 No/3 No/2 No/3

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Useful info

Useful info · Emergency numbers

Passports: To enter Hungary, a valid passport is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above, except EU nationals (1) holding a valid national ID card. Visas: Visas are not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days. EU nationals (2) staying longer than 90 days need to register with the immigration department. Nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA (3) staying in Hungary for longer that 90 days need to apply for a long-stay visa. Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements for Hungary. Visa note: (a) Visitors are not entitled to take any gainful employment. Non-EU visa-exempt nationals need to secure a work permit and working visa in advance. (b)Those wishing to apply for a visa to visit Hungary are required to make an appointment in advance. The only exceptions are family members of EEA and Hungarian nationals, and diplomatic missions in the UK, who may submit their applications without prior appointment. (c) Family members of EEA citizens, who hold a blue coloured residence documentation in their passports with the document type 'Residence card of a family member of an EEA national' are not required to have a visa in order to travel to Hungary. Types and cost: All types of visa for Hungry cost £51. A fast-track service is an additional £24. Working days: Waiting time for an appointment at the Embassy varies between 10 and 30 days. The processing time after appointment is a minimum of 5-15 working days. Passport and visa note: Hungary joined the Schengen Agreement on 21 December 2007 for overland entry points and seaports, and on 29 March 2008 for airports.

Emergency numbers Police: 112 Medical: 112 Fire: 112 Notes: Police – 107; Ambulance – 104; Fire – 105.

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Maps

Maps ·

Maps

Maps

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Maps

Maps · Map index

Map index

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Maps

Maps · A0

A0

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Maps

Maps · A1

A1

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Maps

Maps · A2

A2

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Maps

Maps · B0

B0

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Maps

Maps · B1

B1

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Maps

Maps · B2

B2

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Maps

Maps · C0

C0

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Maps

Maps · C1

C1

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Maps

Maps · C2

C2

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Maps

Maps · D0

D0

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Maps

Maps · D1

D1

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Maps

Maps · D2

D2

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References

References ·

Reasonable care has been taken in creating this personalized travel guide by combining information from the sources identified under the section 'references'. However, the information is provided 'as is' and there is no warranty about the information in the guide being accurate, complete or up to date. To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, all liability arising from the use of this guide will be denied. Verifying critical information (like visas, health and safety) before you travel is recommended. References

References

Budapest data is from Wikitravel, urls: – http://www.wikitravel.com This page was last edited at 21:38, on 9 July 2011 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Rudolf Sárdi, Peter Gervai, Denis Yurkin and Stefano Rivera, Wikitravel user(s) Ikan Kekek, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others. City info data is from Wikipedia, urls: – http://www.wikipedia.com Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. See Terms of use for details. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. Weather data is from Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation yr.no, urls: – http://www.yr.no/place/Ungarn/Budapest/Budapest/ Sunset data is from Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation yr.no, urls: – http://www.yr.no/place/Ungarn/Budapest/Budapest/ Currency data is from Xavier Finance Api, urls: – http://finance.xaviermedia.com/ Maps data is from Yahoo Local Maps, OpenStreetMap, Qype, urls: – http://maps.yahoo.com – http://www.openstreetmap.org – http://www.qype.com

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42


Notes

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Notes

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